Study Reveals Long-Term Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet in Preventing Hypertension

In a significant long-term study spanning two decades, researchers have uncovered compelling evidence that adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a substantially lower risk of developing hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure. The findings, part of the ATTICA prospective epidemiological study, were published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition on April 11, 2024.

The research, led by Michael Georgoulis and colleagues, followed 1,415 non-hypertensive adults over a 20-year period, measuring various lifestyle and clinical parameters, including how closely each participant followed the Mediterranean diet. This was quantified using the MedDietScore, where higher values indicate greater adherence.

After two decades, 314 participants were newly diagnosed with hypertension. Remarkably, the incidence of hypertension was inversely proportional to the adherence to the Mediterranean diet at the beginning of the study. Specifically, the data revealed a decrease of 7% in the risk of hypertension for each one-point increase in the baseline MedDietScore, after adjusting for various factors such as age, body mass index, and physical activity.

An even more pronounced benefit was observed among participants who consistently adhered to the Mediterranean diet over the 10-year follow-up period, who exhibited a 47% lower risk of developing hypertension over 20 years compared to those who did not.

The study's results add substantial weight to the body of evidence supporting the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, known for its high consumption of vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, cereals, fish, and olive oil, and low intake of saturated fats. Previous studies have linked this dietary pattern to a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases and a variety of other health benefits.

As hypertension stands as a global health challenge, contributing significantly to the burden of cardiovascular disease, these findings underline the importance of dietary habits in the prevention and management of high blood pressure.

The ATTICA study is groundbreaking in its duration and the richness of the data, providing a robust evaluation of how sustained dietary patterns can influence long-term health outcomes.

Those interested in the full details of the research can access the article in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition through the following link: Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and 20-year incidence of hypertension.

For more information on how to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, visit https://www.buoyhealth.com for expert guidance. This study not only emphasizes the impact of what we eat on our health outlook but also provides actionable insights for individuals and communities looking to reduce the prevalence of hypertension and related diseases.

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